Shooting-gallery.



J. P. PANOS.

SHOOTING GALLERY.

APPLICATION man JULY 17. ms.

Patented Dec 18, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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ATTORN E Y a INVENTOR 1. P. PANO'S.

SHOOTING GALLERY.

I APPLICATION FILED JULY 17. I916- 1,250,215. Patented Dec. 18, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES 0 0a rms ATTORNEY J. P. PANOS,

SHOOTING GALLERY.

APPLICATION FILED JULY n. 1916.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

lay/ERR WITNESSES ATTORNEY JOE r. PANOS, or vnnona, WISCONSIN.

snoo'rms-eALLEnY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917,

Application filed July 17, 1916. Serial No. 109,835.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Jon PsPANos, a citizen of the United States, residing at Verona, in the county of Dane and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shooting-Galleries, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to targets, and more particularly to an improved device of this nature, wherein the target comprises a plurality of figures which are movably mounted and therefore when the figures are shot at, theskill of the marksman is tested to a greater degree.

The invention has more especial reference to a construction'of the character stated, wherein a plurality of figures are caused to traverse a predetermined course and are successively displayed before the marksman to be shotat.

More particularly, the present invention has reference to the novel construction and arrangement of the moving figures which constitute the targets, and the means for moving the same; the targets comprising a plurality, of figures representing mounted riders, so positioned upon their mounts that when struck by a projectile they will be moved from their seats or saddles, thus giving the impression of falling; the means for moving the mounts, including flexible members, which are alternately moved forward, such movement causing the legs of the horses to be manipulated, consequently giving the appearance of walking or trotting horses.

Still further, the invention embraces a novel form of target which is arranged upon the body of the rider, the same being connected with mechanism carried by the body of the rider, which will release a catch and permit the said rider to fall to one side when hit.

Another important characteristic of the invention resides in the provision of means for automatically remounting the riders, subsequently to their dislodgment, this means comprising an elevated inclined trackway which is arranged adjacent the track and adapted to receive and support the-portion of the body of the rider thereonjthus. as the horse is advanced the rider will be gradually moved to an upright position upon the mount and the catch engaged, whereupon the deviceis again ready for display.

'Among the aims andobjects of the inven riders dislodged from his mount and rest- '7 ing upon the automatic remounting means, Fig. 2 is a fragmental elevation partly in section showing the rider displayed to be shot at and a portion of the means whereby the mounts are moved,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 83 of Fig. 2, i

Fig. i is a detail transverse section showing the driving means whereby the mounts are moved about their supporting platform, and Fig. 5 is a detail in elevation showing the manner in which the hoofs of the various mounts are connected with the propelling chain, whereby they may be successively advanced.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views I rovide a sua ortin base comprising a platform having top and bottom portions 1 and 2 respectively, and suitable side walls whereby the top andbottom are spaced apart. A screening or division wall 3 is supported upon the top portion 1 of the platform adjacent the front thereof, and has formed in the same, an opening 4. This opening provides means whereby the various figures or targets may be successively displayed .to be shot at. Upon the top portion 1 I arrange a plurality of circularly disposed rollers 5 which are journaled forrotation upon the vertically arranged studs 6 which are secured to said top portion -1. About the circularly disposed rollers 5 andconcentric therewith,

I arrange a second set'of similarly disposed rollers, which are designated 7, these rollers being mounted for rotation upon studs 8 a which are in turn affixed to the top portion 1.

By this arrangement, it. is evident that I have provided a plurality of circular trackways, or more specifically, acircular inner track-way and a similar outer trackway,

the purpose of this arrangement being presently described. With a view toward providing for means whereby the targets may be moved the constructionof which targets will be subsequently entered into, Iarrange about the outer and inner circular trackways-asiconstituted by the rollers 5 and 6, a' plurality of flexiblelinked chains 9 and 10 which are preferably of :the:sprockettype. Spaced apart parallel rings 11, 11' and 12 and 12 are arranged above the sprocket chains 9 and 10.and are secured to the top portion 1 of the platform in any suitable manner, :thus providing for means whereby vertical movement said-chains and '10 will be'prevented. It will be noted thatthe chains are at all times maintained in proper circular position by means of their respective rollers 6 and 7, the rollersalso constituting suliicient bearing zmean-s therefor.

VJith =reference to the propelling means whereby thecircularsprocket chains 9 and 10 may be moved, l-employ means whereby :motion will be alternately imparted thereto, :the said means comprising a plurality of gears '13 and 14C which .are fixedly mounted upon vertically disposed shafts 15 and 16, :theseshafts being journa'led within the top and bottom portions 1 and 20f the platform. Upon ithe =upper extremities of the shafts 15 and 16, which as will be :noted, extend above :the atop portion 1a slight distance, 1 Amount sprocket wheel-s 217 and 18, the teeth .of which sare=engaged with the various links off-thesprocket chainsiQI-and 10. Gear wheels 19 and 20 are constantly enmeshed with the gears 13 and 1 1 and are fixedly mounted iupon vertically disposed shafts .21 and 22, 'vv hich, as will be obvious, are journaled Within the top and bottom :portions 1 and :2. lshe lower "extremities of "the shafts 21 and 22 project below the bottom portion '2 :and carry thereupon a plurality of gears which I shall designate by the numerals 23 and 241, which gears are .normally enmeshed with similar "gears 25 and 26, these gears being mounted upon stub :shafts 27 and 28, which are secured to :the underface of the bottom portion 2 by'means of bolts as generally-indicated by theinumera'l 29. The. gear .25 hasarranged adjacent theretoand:mounted :upon the lower portion of its shaft 28, which as will be obvious extends below the same, sprocket wheel 30, about which is arranged a drivingsprocket chain '31. The 'chain may be extended forwardly into on ga ement with any suit able prime mover, not shown, whereby (the necessary power maybe transmitted ltotthe structure in order :that the same maybeoperated. Tn-order that the gear 26 may be driven, :an idle gear 32 mounted upon a stub shaft :83, which is affixed to the lower face of the bottom :por- 'tion '2, "is enmeshed therewith and "with the ,gear25. Thus, as the said gear 25 is rotated, the motion :in turn will be transmitted therefrom through the idler 32 through the gear 26 and then onto the gear Wheel 24:.

As abovestatedthe circular chains 9 and 10 are moved alternately so as to cause the legs 3-l to be successively manipulated, and to thisend attention is directed to the fact that the teeth on the gear wheels 19 and 20 spaced farther apart than are the teeth on the gears 18 and 14. By this arrangement, as the gear :WllBQlS l9 and =20=are rotated. the succeedin teeth thereon will .im-

,parta step'by step movement to therespeo tive gears 13 and 1141 and hence cause the same to be successively rotated and sense quently impart the desired Vmovement :to the chains 9 and 10.

The targets, the construction of which will be now entered into, comprise ifigures, representingrhorses, whlch are:indicated.gen-

erally by'the numeral .3 1. The fore andirear legs of the horses 3d are'pivotedit-oithe body portion :as at 35, :thus al-lowingitheisame:to swing backwardly and forwardly. Certain 'vofthe links of the :chains :9 and 10 :ha-veaffixed to the top portions thereof, upright 1pins-36 to which the hoofs of the horses are pivotally secured as at 3.7 As the chains'9 and 10 are imoved,the legs of the/horse will be successively moved forwardly, thus .gi-ving the impression that the animal is walking or trotting. The rider in the form :of

a manikin, is seated upon the horse and is generally :indicated by the numeral '38 as will be evident, the legs of the rider straddle the body of the horse in "the :usual'man- ,ner. However, the leg 39 is pivotally -secured to the body portion of the "figure as at lOzand is yieldably heldin position adjacent tthe bodyof thehorse'by means of a contracengaged by a :pivotally mounted catch member carried upon the body of therider within the vertically disposed bore 46 as formed therein. The :upper end of this *piv" otally mounted catch 4L5 has pi-votally connected therewitlnithe lower end of a love/r47,

this lever in 'turn 'beingalso pivotally mount- =ed'Wit' hin the bore 46 and has formed-upon its upper extremity an angularly disposed portion which carries upon the outer er;- =tremity thereof a circular :ta rget -4t-8. The upper 130113101111 of the lever l? is normally iheld outwa' -y by :means of an expansible coiled spring .49 which is seated within a suitable recess formed an the :body of the rider and bears against the adjacent-portion of said lever. A'coiled spring 50 is mounted within communicating pockets 51 and 52, which are formed Within the bodies of the horse and rider and provide means whereby dislodgment of the rider will be effected when the catch 45 is disengaged from its keeper 44. Upon striking the target 48, the lever 47 is accordingly rocked and the release of the pivotal catch 45 from the keeper 44 effected. The manikin 38 thus rocks upon the hinge 43 and the falling of the manikin from the horse is simulated.- The manikin is automatically remounted by the engagement ofa roller 53 which is journaled in bracket 54 on the shoulder of the manikin, with an inclined trackway 55. The trackway 55 is mounted upon a plurality of uprights 56 which are supported on the top 1. It is to be also noted that in practice the inclined track 55 Will be so arranged upon its supportinguprights 56, that the sprocket chain 9 is gradually approached, as the trackway reaches its highest point. By this means, it Will be apparent that when the manikin is dislodged from the horse, the roller 53 Will engage the elevated inclined track 55 and as the horse is advanced, the roller 53 will be carried upwardly over said trackway, thus causing the manikin to be gradually returned to an upright position, whereupon, the pivotal catch 45 will again engage its keeper 44 and the particular target will be again ready for display before the opening 4. By so arranging the trackway 55 that the same gradually approaches the chain 9 as shown in Fig. 1, it will be evident that the decreased distance between the rollers 53 and the body of the horse caused by the gradual upward movement of the rider, will be compensated for.

In reviewing the operation of the construction, the chains 9 and 10 will be alt-ernately driven by means of their respective gears 19 and 20, causing the pivotally mounted legs of the various horses 34 to be successively advanced and making the animals appear as though they were walking. Continuous movement of the chains 9 and 10, will cause the various horses and riders to be successively displayed before the opening 4 as arranged within the screen. or division wall 3. .lVhen in this position, they are fired at and should the target 48 be struck by one of the projectiles, the target will be forced rearwardly causing the lever 47 to release the pivotal catch 45 from its keeper 44 and cause the nianikin 88 to be rocked on the hinge 43. Continued movement of the chains 9 and 10 will bring a second horse and rider before the opening 4, which in turn may be fired at. As the dislodged body of the rider upon the preceding horse is moved forwardly, it will be evident, that the roller 53 will travel upon the inclined track 55 and that the body of the riderwill be gradually moved into upright position and that the pivotal catch 45 will be again engaged with its respective keeper 44, whereupon this particular target is again ready for display before the opening 4. a

To provide for means whereby those targets as not adjacent the opening 4 of the division wall 3 may be protected from the 'firing, a partition 57 is arranged between the forward and rear portions of the platform and provides the'necessary shelter.

It will of course, be understood that any number of horses, and riders may be arranged upon the platform to be driven by the chains 9 and 10; also that the propelling means maybe driven at the desired speed whereby the pivoted mounted legs of the various horses will be actuated accordingly, thus allowing. the operator to control the movement thereof and give the same the a ppearance of either walking or trotting.

If so desired, the sprocket chains 9 and 10 may be dispensed withand thesprocket wheels 17 and 18- eliminated in order that the conventional form of frictional belt and gearing may be substituted therefor. This is of course optional with the user. 1

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention, may beemployed instead of the one explained, changes being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of said stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. A target including a base, an objec movable over the base, supporting members for the object, carriers for the supporting members, and means for'imparting astepby-step movement to the carriers.

2. A target including a base, an'object movable over the base, supporting members for the object, carriers for the supporting members, and means for alternately advancing the carriers.

3. A target including a base, an object movable over the base, supporting members for the object, carriers for the supporting members,and.means for intermittently and alternatelymoving the carriers to impart a step-by-step movement to the supporting members.

4. A target, including a base, an object movable over the base, and automatically operated means, for intermittently advanc-v ing the object.

5. A target, including a base, an object I movable over the base, the object having pairs of pivoted legs, a flexible and movable mounting for supporting each of the pairs of legs, means for guiding the flexible mount-- in s in prescribed paths, and means for actuating the respectivefien ible mountings alternately and intermittently.

7. A target including a base, an object movable over the base, the object having pivoted pairs of legs, flexible mountings for each of the pairs of legs, connecting links between the legs and the flexible mounting, guides for directing the flexible mountings in a prescribed path, sprocket devices in engagement with each of the flexible mountings, mutilated gears for actuating the sprocket devices alternately and intermittently,- and means for driving the mutilated gears.

8. A target, comprising a plurality of movable objects carried upon a base, figures pivotally secured to said objects, catches carried by said figures, keepers afiiXed to said objects for receiving said catches,bulls'- eyes arranged upon said catches adapted to disengage the same from said keepers when struck by a projectile to permit the figures to be dislodged from said objects, and resilient means arranged between said objects and said figures for facilitating the dislodgment of the latter.

A target comprising a plurality of movable objects having pivotally mounted leg portions, means for successively advancing said leg portions and causing said objects to be moved, figures pivotally secured to the objects adapted to be dislodged there from when struck by a projectile, and means for automatically moving said figures to normal position upon said objects subsequent to dislodgment therefrom.

10. A target comprising a plurality of movable objects carried upon a base, pivota lly' mounted leg portions carried by said objects, means arranged upon said base for alternately moving said leg portions where= by said objects will be advanced, figures pivotally secured tosaid objects adapted to be dislodged therefrom when struck by a projectile, and means for automatically moving said figures to normal positions upon said objects subsequent to dislodgment there from;

11. A target comprising a base, a plural-ity of movable objects carried upon said base having pivotally mounted leg portions, means arranged upon said base and engaged With the pivotally mounted leg portions for Copies of this patent may he obtained for intents base having pivotally mounted leg portions,

means carried by the base and connected with said pivotal leg portions whereby the same will be alternately operated for advancing said objects, figures pivotally se cured to said objects, catches carried by said figures, keepers afiiXed to said objects for receiving said catches, bulls eyes arranged upon said catches adapted to release the same from the keepers when struck by a projectile, resilient means interposed between the objects and the figures for facilitating the dislodgment thereof when i said catches are released, and means arranged adjacent said objects for automatically moving the same to normal position thereupon subsequent to dislodgment therefrom.

13. A target comprising a base, a plurality of movable objects arranged upon said base having pivotally mounted leg portions, means carried by said base and connected with said pivotally mounted leg portions whereby the same will be alternately operated for advancing said objects, figures pivotally secured to said objects, catches carried by said figures, keepers atfixed to said objects for receiving said catches, bulls. eyes arranged upon said catches adapted to release the same when struck by a projectile, spring means interposed between said ob= jects and said figures for facilitating the dislodgment of the figures from the objects when said catches are released, and an inclinec trackway arranged adjacent said objects for receiving and supporting a portion of said figures and automatically moving the same to normal position upon said oh j ects subsequent to dislodgment therefrom;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOE P. PANQS.

Witnesses WILLIAM Pn'rRAsoHKn, J. T. NneLIs.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0., 

